Where to find inspiration?

Written By Marina Yüzbasioglu

I believe that what inspires us has the power to nourish our souls with creativity and enthusiasm.

Our sources of inspiration give us the energy to create something fabulous. Because of that, it is so important to discover what are the things that truly inspire you.

So today, I want to share with you what inspires me to create artworks—and perhaps these things will resonate with your soul too!

Music and Songs

The beautiful, lingering sounds of the cello, the gentle melodies of the piano, and romantic Italian songs are often sources of inspiration for my whimsical watercolor flowers.

It’s how I express the beauty I feel deep within my soul when I listen to this music. It’s as if the notes enter my heart and take shape—and with smooth brushstrokes on watercolor paper, my whimsical flowers begin to bloom.

Some of my favorites right now:

  • Hauser – “Memory”

  • Peder B. Helland – “Paradise”

  • IL VOLO – “Grande Amore”

Nature

Like many creative souls, nature is my greatest source of inspiration. Colors, shapes, the changing seasons, magical creatures, beauty, and power… I could make an endless list of reasons why I admire Mother Nature so much.

My mother played a big role in helping me notice the beauty of nature around me. When I was a child, we spent a lot of time outdoors and in the woods, and she always pointed out the little wonders around us.

She would often say:

“Look at how beautiful those leaves are,” or

“Look at this family of mushrooms,” or

“Look at these tiny ants—isn’t it amazing how strong they are?”

I love walking in the woods, and that’s often where I find my inspiration—or perhaps, it finds me there.

In my artworks, you can feel my admiration for nature: in the color palettes, in the charming animal characters, in the landscapes, and of course, in my passion for flowers and mushrooms.

Silence

Only in the last few years have I begun to appreciate the creative power of silence. It’s fascinating and mysterious how many creative ideas come to me when I’m simply doing ordinary things in silence—like yoga, cleaning, or baking.

Without outside stimulation, my own ideas—like shy but curious creatures—begin to show themselves. Sometimes it’s just a small spark of an interesting idea that I write down or sketch. Other times, it feels like a burst of fireworks.

This is usually how new ideas for illustrations, projects, or magical stories come to me.

Good Rest

While it may not be a direct source of inspiration, a good rest has a great impact on my creative energy and makes me more receptive to inspiration.

The fact that good rest not only has a healing effect on my body but also on my creativity has been an interesting discovery for me. I think there is some simple logic to it: when my body is rested and nourished, my mind is able to function at its best.

It’s not always easy for me to remember this or to give myself permission to rest without guilt. But over the years, I’ve gotten better at this “craft”: taking short breaks, enjoying days off, and even napping when I feel overwhelmed.

Little by little, I’m finding my own ways to get good rest—and I’ve noticed the positive impact it has on my creative energy.

Artists

I love learning about the experiences of other artists—how they create their work, what inspires them, what motivates them to keep going, how they overcome challenges, and what lessons they’ve learned on their creative journeys.

Knowing that there are others like me out there—that if they can do it, maybe I can too—gives me energy and motivation. I often feel inspired after listening to artist podcasts, watching videos, or seeing behind-the-scenes content.

These wonderful creatives inspire me to keep learning and growing as an artist.

Following the work of others has also taught me a valuable lesson: in order to avoid slipping into jealousy or comparison (yes, I feel those things sometimes too), it’s essential for me to dedicate time to my own craft and my own creative journey.

Of course, there are many other things that inspire me to create art—like traveling and exploring new places, wonderful children’s books, people, sunny mornings, cozy TV shows, the Christmas season, and the love and support of the art community.

But most importantly, just living my life—and noticing the inspiring things around me.

I hope you also find something that inspires you, gives you energy, fuels your enthusiasm, and makes you feel like you’ve grown wings—something that fills your heart with joy and creativity.

Remember the saying:

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

So find your own way to fill your cup—so that inspiration can overflow.

With brightest wishes,

Marina

P.S. If inspiration finds you in an unexpected place and a wonderful idea comes to mind, make a note of it so you don’t forget.

Do a quick sketch on a scrap of paper or jot it down. Save it for later—your future self will be so grateful.

In a moment when she or he feels out of ideas, that little note might be just the right spark needed to ignite the fireworks of inspiration. :)

  • On LinkedIn, you can find information about my education.

Marina Yüzbasioglu
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